2014-15 Europa League Match Preview: Qarabağ vs. Saint-Étienne

Neither Qarabağ nor Saint Etienne have a reliable Europa League history that they can use to obtain inspiration for this season’s tournament. On the domestic level, however, they are both front-runners in their respective leagues.

Qarabağ FK

Qarabağ had a lukewarmn performance in the play-offs on road to the Group stage of the Europa League. They were seeded in Group F by way of the away goals rule as they held Dutch squad Twente in a 1-1 draw on aggregate scoring. As for their most recent matches, the figures are not telling good news to The Horsemen. They have been winless in six consecutive matches, two of which were goalless defeats to Salzburg and Sumqayit. There is not much to thrill fans about Qarabağ’s form and their continental club football campaign will be heavily compromised by their volatile defense and an uninspired attack.

AS Saint-Étienne

Saint Etienne have never won a Europa League title, although already emerged as winners in the Champions League in 1976. With them ranking fourth overall in the last season of Ligue 1, Les Verts qualified for the play-off round of the competition, where they successfully toppled Karabukspor in the penalty shootout and earned seeding in the Group stage. Their form as of their last five matches, however, is not telling a good story. Only two of this streak produced victories while six goals were conceded in the rest. They suffered a 5-0 beating at the hands of PSG in Ligue 1.

Europa League betting tip: Saint Etienne will kick off their Group stage campaign with a win over Qarabağ.